Does Anime NYC Really Need Four Days?

This is the second year that Anime NYC has been a four-day affair, and if I’m being perfectly honest, I still couldn’t tell you why it needs four days. Thursday starts in the middle of the day, and while there was more on offer this year, it still felt fairly light. I opted not to attend the Netflix showcase this time around because, aside from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2, nothing really stood out as something I needed to see in person. With the way Netflix presents these showcases, there’s also not much reason not to simply read the press release afterward.

That said, the first day was noticeably less relaxed this year than it was last year. I didn’t see nearly as many Thursday-only badges as I did four-day passes, which tells me that people are increasingly opting for the full four days rather than skipping the opening half-day. As a result, the Dealer’s Room felt much more like a Friday—or even a Saturday—than a Thursday.

That also means Sunday is, once again, shaping up to be the best day if you’re looking for a more relaxed con experience.